NASCAR team owner Gene Haas is behind a US effort to gain an F1 entry for 2015, according to reports.A few weeks ago the FIA announced a formal tender process, with a very short lead time, suggesting that interested parties had already been in contact. Late last year there were rumours of a potential F1 project in the USA.Germany’s AmuS says that Haas plans to utilise a Ferrari power train and that the operation would be run by former Toro Rosso boss Guenther Steiner. The Austrian, who runs a composite facility in North Carolina – ironically very close to the site of the failed US F1 effort – was an interested observer in the paddock in Austin in November.The 61-year-old Haas owns one of the world’s leading CNC companies, and also owns the Wind Shear wind tunnel, which has been used by F1 teams. He first entered the NASCAR world in 2002, and latterly has been in partnership with Tony Stewart. Together they won the 2011 Sprint Cup title.AMuS says that former Force India and HRT boss Colin Kolles and Stefan GP have also expressed an interest in fielding teams.Bernie Ecclestone said this week that he had been in contact with two candidates.

NASCAR team owner Gene Haas has confirmed that he's kickstarted the 2015 F1 entry bid process as Haas Racing Development

“We have responded to the FIA’s ‘call for expression of interest’ regarding a Formula One entry on behalf of Haas Racing Development. We respect the FIA’s evaluation process and will share more details in the coming weeks.”